Describe David Copperfield experiences in Salem House
Answers
David’s life at Salem House can be compared to that of a penitentiary. He had been sent there to be tortured, beaten, and humiliated in the name of being educated. David found Salem House to be dull, forlorn, desolate, sad and solitary. Initially he was forced to do lots of work by Mr. Mell.
David had to carry a placard on his back bearing words ‘‘TAKE CARE OF HIM. HE BITES.’ He had to bear lots of embarrassment and humiliation on account of it. Mr. Creakle, the proprietor of Salem House was a very strict master. He would love to beat children with his sharp cane. Mr. Murderstone had given him special instructions to treat David cruelly.
But David’s life at Salem House changed as J. Steerforth became his friend. David came to know from Steerforth that he had some influence on Mr. Creakle.
The life of David Copperfield whilst in Salem House was a tough one which made him feel like a prisoner. He was sent there for the purpose of being tortured and ill-treatment in a way like prisoners are given third degrees in jails.
He had been sent there for getting beaten up and degraded through humiliation fro the sake of being educated. For example: Trying to embarrass him by making him wear a sign on his back that said, "he bites".
David would describe the house as dull, dark and sad.
At the beginning he was forced work more than required by Mr. Mell as well as Mr. Creaker; the headmaster who was a strict and stubborn man. For instance his cruelty was witnessed when he would beat children with his cane. Furthermore, Mr. Murderstone had given him special instructions to treat David cruelly.
However, in a dark storm he found his ray of light; J. Steerforth. He was David's friend and companion.